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For three days leading up to the Academy Awards presentation ceremony on February 22, TMG International hosted its “TMG Pre-Oscar Luxury Lounge” extravaganza in the Penthouse and Governors Suite of the famed Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The by-invitation-only event gave media and movie industry insiders the opportunity to enjoy some privileged pampering and glitzy glamour prior to the big day—and gave participating companies some face time with potential future customers.

Between treatments, attendees had the opportunity to visit with a range of fun and fascinating vendors, such as RM DNA Renewal skin care, It hair care, Onirikka jewelry, Horse and Dragon organic baby linens, and even representatives from the classic children’s character brand Strawberry Shortcake, who handed out flutes of champagne and delectable fruit-themed cupcakes to the humming throng of happy guests.

Clients who want the best for their skin as well as professionals who want the best for their customers know that it pays to go gray – Dermalogica gray, that is. Now, Dermalogica announces a new Exclusive Account program, where skin care centers, salons, spas, and retailers who work exclusively with the brand can reap even richer rewards.

Established to help businesses achieve maximum success in a competitive marketplace, Exclusive Account benefits include:

To qualify for evaluation as an Exclusive Account, the participating business must carry the entire Dermalogica retail and professional lines exclusively. Exclusive Accounts represent the brand as the frontrunners for new product launches and sales and service segments, and actively offer and market Dermalogica’s signature concepts including Face Mapping skin analysis, MicroZone treatments which require no appointment, and Skin Bar sampling.

Lifestyle brand Noel Asmar is making its official debut in the United Kingdom at the Professional Beauty Show in February 2015 in partnership with Grahame Gardner Ltd.

Noel Asmar Group, a globally recognized, award-winning design firm that manufactures uniforms, pedicure bowls, equestrian-inspired clothing and more, has partnered with Grahame Gardner Ltd to be its exclusive uniform distributor in the UK. Grahame Gardner will be exhibiting at the Professional Beauty Show to introduce the Noel Asmar Uniform collections to this new market. CEO and founder Noel Asmar will also be speaking at the event.

“Partnering with Grahame Gardner was a good fit for our brand,” said Asmar. “A leader in the industry, their company is well established and has specialized in textiles for over 100 years. They understand the uniform business and are working closely with us to introduce our collections into the U.K. market.”

Servicing the market from within was crucial, and both companies believe that customer service is paramount. Offering local, effective and quality service to their customers was an essential connection for this partnership. James Greenlees, managing director at Grahame Gardner, added: “We have been watching the rise of Noel Asmar with great interest. The quality within its range is immediately apparent, the fabrics tactile and hard-wearing, and the designs and vision of the company aspirational. Our two companies have many similarities and shared values, and Noel and I are both passionate, hands-on leaders. I strongly believe our two businesses will compliment each other well, and I sincerely hope we can bring this brand to the U.K. in the style it deserves. We are delighted that we've been selected to present the company's exceptional collection to spa and salon managers and therapists, and can't wait to see the response from delegates at Professional Beauty.”

Asmar continued, “I look forward to, on a wider scale, sharing our fashionable uniform styles with our signature fabric, clever garment details and incredible durability to the booming spa and hotel markets in Europe and beyond. As we stock our collections in the U.K. this makes it very convenient for international customer growth.”

Wellness is much more than a buzzword; in today’s world it is a necessity. For those who work in the wellness industry, determining what clients (and employees) want when it comes to wellness can make or break your bottom line.

The newly-formed Well World Group consists of three business professionals who know the wellness industry inside-out. Alison Howland, Eric Stephenson and Debra Koerner collectively have more than eight decades of experience in business, marketing, education and spa development. “Building a complete strategy that encompasses a total guest experience, education to ensure staff has the tools to deliver that experience, and enhancing the bottom line with superior business planning is Well World Groups’ approach to create a sustainable business”, says Howland, co-founder of Well World Group.

There is great opportunity for savvy businesses to develop initiatives that assist customers and employees in achieving improved health. “Now, more than ever, a business can differentiate on the soft skills that make up an incredible experience. It is a fact that happy employees correlate to ecstatic clients. When clients are happy, your bottom line is happy”, adds Well World Group Co-founder Stephenson.

Studies show that employers who utilize corporate wellness programs have decreased absenteeism, reduced health care expenses and increased productivity among employees. (Source: www.NASBA.org). With a focus on brands in the spa, resort, massage and wellness industries, Well World Group offers strategies to increase business by helping people live well, for example:

• Align with like-minded businesses and become a strategic wellness partner for corporations. Well World Group will identify brand partners that serve similar consumers and are complementary to your offerings, such as acupuncturists, nutritionists, and fitness instructors.

• Know your target market. The clearer you are on the type of guests you want to attract, the more specific you can be about your wellness offerings. If you are located in a city, perhaps offering quiet spaces for electronic connections and charging stations is a perk for those unable to unplug. With a highly connected Millennial generation, promoting your social media channels so people can check-in, tweet, and tag on-site will be more appealing to that demographic.

• Offer community classes to encourage non-traditional streams of revenue. Consider becoming an information-source for your community by offering specialized health/wellness speakers with related retail items. Try free or donation-based classes; you might be surprised at the generosity of attendees. Plus, the workshops will build your brand in the community.

The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation (BCL) gratefully acknowledges the incredible support from salon and wellness industry sponsors for the 2015 Legacy Award Honoring Leo Passage. The event, hosted by Cosmetologists Chicago, America’s Beauty Show and Pivot Point International, Inc., will be held Saturday, March 21, 2015, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Art wing.

The centerpiece of the evening reception, “Trilogy of Beauty,” is an after-dark fashion presentation created by NEXTGEN talents representing many of the event’s Gold Sponsors. Each NEXTGEN talent will showcase interpretations of Street Wear, Underground and Avant Garde fashions that form the Trilogy of Beauty. Master artist mentors from the sponsoring companies will coach each NEXTGEN talent.

The evening will also feature a DJ set by Hannah Bronfman from New York City, and an opportunity to view The Art Institute’s Modern European Galleries home to many of the Bauhaus works that inspired Leo Passage in his early years in Chicago. The 2015 BCL Legacy Award posthumously honors Leo Passage, founder of Pivot Point International, Inc., for his contributions to the beauty industry and his remarkable vision for cultivating NEXTGEN talent.

In addition to a great evening, and the chance to mix and mingle with the glitterati of beauty, guests will receive a highly valued gift bag and an inspiration journal to complete their experience.

CIDESCO, offering Beauty and Spa Therapy with accredited schools in over 33 countries worldwide, announces the launch of three exciting new Diplomas which will appeal to a growing number of students keen to enter or develop and progress into this dynamic and expanding industry.

CIDESCO, which has been defining professional standards in the Beauty Therapy Industry since 1946, has developed three new Diplomas, in response to the dynamic growth and development in the Beauty and Spa Industry. The new Diplomas offer the highest standards of professional qualifications and will provide graduates with the means to equip themselves with the skills to succeed.
The three new qualifications include:

The Spa Therapy Diploma – this qualification gives candidates the opportunity to obtain a Diploma in ‘Spa Therapy’ without the prerequisite of a qualification in Beauty Therapy. CIDESCO recognized the need for a ‘stand alone’ qualification which is now available to anyone who would like to pursue a career in the Spa Industry.

Beauty & Spa Management Diploma - the new CIDESCO Beauty & Spa Management Diploma has been developed to give graduates a real competitive ‘edge’ in the market place. The course includes a greater emphasis on the range of activities required to manage an organization or business such as human resources planning and customer service. This Post Graduate Diploma is available to holders of the CIDESCO Diploma in Beauty Therapy and/or Spa Therapy and will equip any student with the necessary skills to undertake a management role.

Media Make–up Diploma – open to candidates who have a passion for creative make-up to enable them to be employed in media, theatre, TV and fashion. The CIDESCO Media Make-up Diploma teaches students how to apply make-up for television, film, catwalk and fashion industry magazines and theatre as well as prosthetics and other areas which require special effects make-up.

Launching the new Diplomas, CIDESCO’s President Anna-Cari Gund says: “The introduction of our new Diplomas will open up careers in the Beauty and Spa Industry to a great many more people whilst still maintaining standards. By offering a range of CIDESCO qualifications, schools and colleges can provide students with a flexible and supportive approach to their education and development in the Beauty and Spa Industry. With a CIDESCO qualification they can be assured that they have received a world class qualification that is second to none.”

More than just a toner, this treatment mist is a true phyto-aromatic fountain of beauty, essential for rebalancing and preparing skin for everyday beauty products. Alcohol-free, it refreshes, tones and purifies even the most dry or sensitive skin. With Yon-Ka Paris’ signature Quintessence, the energizing effects of its essential oils can be felt throughout the whole body.

HURRY! Contest ends Sunday, February 22nd at 11:59PM Pacific Time! Due to mail regulations, the giveaway will be limited to entrants in the United States.

The Successful Hands Grant Program, developed through the collaborative efforts of Biofreeze, Massage Envy Spa and Bon Vital, supports the professional massage therapy students and their schools. The 2015 program allows students to apply for one of eight $1,000 grants. In addition, each winner’s school will receive a $500 grant and a $500 product package.

“We are very excited to offer this program again, and I’m delighted that we have expanded it from five grants to eight grants this year,” stated CG Funk, Vice President, Industry Relations and Product Development, Massage Envy Spa Franchising. “Based on last year’s inspirational submissions, we know our investment in these grants has and will continue to make an impact. It’s truly gratifying and uplifting to be a co-sponsor of this program.”

The grant application process requires students to complete an essay of 200 words or less on “What being a successful massage therapist means to me.” Applications must be received by October 15, 2015 and are accepted online at SuccessfulHandsGrants.com.